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Hatred

Time to wake up and see clearly all that this election means.

What everyone needs to remember first and foremost are these two facts about the major political parties:

Democrats Care More About All The People Than The Party

Republicans want to control every aspect of a person’s life and care about party ideology more than the people (power over people)

Can I make it plain?

I have seen with my own eyes and heard with my own ears–the kind of hatred and bigotry spewed by Republicans (especially the trump party) that has led to people being randomly targeted and killed, pipe bombs sent to silence those who dare to criticize the orange monster in the White House and all the while–Republican leaders are posturing that they care about human life (trump wants the death penalty back on the books). Here’s what This Era Republicans care about–maintaining power over people (controlling what people do) and maintaining the wealth in the hands of a few. That’s it. They care nothing about the people in America and everything they do–legislatively–proves it.

This administration since 2017 has rolled back environmental protection measures established to protect all of us. They rolled back the requirements for corporations so the corporations could make more money and not be held accountable for the damage done to our health because of toxic soil, polluted water and air. And on top of all that not caring about our health and food supply, they’re doing everything they can to gut healthcare for those with pre-existing conditions as well as remove access to affordable healthcare for the masses. They claim the government can’t subsidize healthcare because it will blow up the deficit. Well, their tax cuts for the wealthy, did just that–blew up the deficit (21 Trillion Dollars), jeopardized farmers with the imposed tariffs, and now–to prove they care nothing about the “poor and the needy,” they are planning to gut Social Security benefits for the elderly, including Medicare and Medicaid for the poor. Veterans don’t matter to them at all as we can see in the fact that there is no one overseeing Veteran’s Affairs with any specific skills to do so.

Even in their political campaigns–though they claim to be “fiscally conservative” they spend more money on negative attack ads than they do commending the candidates. They lie and stoke fear about all sorts of imagined evil (claiming Democrats are evil and planning all sorts of evil deeds–when in fact–it’s them; they’re projecting). They even claim Democrats have no message or platform other than “hating trump.”

Well, I’ve got news for everyone who thinks this lie is true. Democrats have a message and the message is–We care about all the people! We respect the rights of every person to live their own best lives no matter who they love, what faith they practice, the color of their skin or gender. We want common sense gun reforms to protect the innocent and we care about women’s health choices.

It’s time for Americans to make a decision and the decision made with this election will determine whether American Democracy survives or crashes. There is already widespread efforts of voter-fraud with the voting machines used (changing Democrat votes to Republican), voter suppression with contrived justification to keep people from voting due purged voter rolls and alleged “non-matching signatures for absentee ballots” to refusing to allow a bus load of Black Senior Citizens to go vote as a collective group and closing voting locations in key areas in effort to dissuade the vulnerable from voting. This is what is occurring in every state that is currently controlled by Republican leadership. That’s what they do.

Democrats on the other hand, do everything we can to encourage voting by all. Yes, we make recommendations about the issues and candidates, but we ultimately respect the choice of people, believing they’re intelligent enough to make decisions without being led by lies and deception.

I’m very proud of the political ads I’ve seen in which Democratic candidates are merely expounding upon their own abilities to get the job done. Only some of the PACs are airing negative ads, but not nearly in the number that Republicans are airing them. So there are a few things I want every voter to consider:

Download your sample ballot from your voting district and know who you want to vote for before you get to the polls. In Michigan go to michigan.gov/sos

If possible, vote early to avoid the frustration of waiting in lines–in most states, absentee ballots are available prior to any day of election. Get one and take your time to complete.

Make sure you’re familiar with the ballot proposals or initiatives and the judges who are listed in the nonpartisan section.

Never allow fear to be a deterrent in making your choices.

If Americans don’t make the right decisions about voting in this election cycle–it could very well be our last opportunity to vote since Republicans are more concerned with “controlling the masses” and are planning to rewrite the Constitution to make sure they maintain control. Be wise, research and know whether your representatives care about you or care about controlling you.

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.Mark my words! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no value to you at all.Again I declare to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law. You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit we eagerly await by faith the righteousness for which we hope. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love. Galatians 5:1-6 NIV

The debate about whether to stand, kneel or sit during the a presentation of the National Anthem has become a contentious discussion. Now, it would seem that everyone wants to chime in and have an opinion and most seem to think their opinion is the only one that counts. Before anyone’s opinion can be counted, everyone must understand what the debate represents. Kneeling during the anthem is a protest against the injustice suffered by those in the Black community because of police brutality–unarmed Black males being killed.

Now, whether people understand the angst felt in the Black community or not really is not debatable. Unless a person is Black, they would not understand why some of us feel so strongly about the deaths of young Black males. To fully understand, one must understand the discrimination we’ve suffered for a very long time. And just to make sure, the message is understood, I encourage everyone to review the history of Black people in this country.

We were imported as slaves, treated like animals or worse, denied the rights provided every human being, babies taken from mothers, families separated, lynched, burned, wrongfully jailed and executed without recourse through any judicial system because the laws were against us, not for us. It was not until 1968 that most of us had the right to vote because we didn’t count. Most people don’t realize the electoral college was established for those who owned slaves–so they wouldn’t have an advantage over those who didn’t. (14th Amendment, Section 2) Slaves were set free in 1863, but were still treated like third-class citizens or worse. We had been denied the right to pursue an education, kept of out certain careers and even though many Black men fought in wars “for this country” they were still denied the same rights as others.

There is a stanza of the anthem–written as a poem in 1814–that most are not aware of and it embellishes slavery rather than denounces it and hence–the kneeling during the anthem–is about systemic racism; not about patriotism!

Oh, say! can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hailed at the twilight’s last gleaming;
Whose broad stripes and bright stars, through the perilous fight,
O’er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?
And the rocket’s red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there:
Oh, say! does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

On the shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep,
Where the foe’s haughty host in dread silence reposes,
What is that which the breeze, o’er the towering steep,
As it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?
Now it catches the gleam of the morning’s first beam,
In fully glory reflected now shines in the stream:
‘Tis the star-spangled banner! Oh, long may it wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!

And where is that band who so vauntingly swore
That the havoc of war and the battle’s confusion
A home and a country should leave us no more?Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps’ pollution! No refuge could save the hireling and slaveFrom the terror of flight or the gloom of the grave:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation!
Blest with victory and peace, may the heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just,
And this be our motto: “In God is our trust”:
And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave.

When we understand that this country has diminished the rights of Black people and still does not respect us as human beings, we protest and with a peaceful protest where no one is harmed or violated–there should be no dissension or debate about the right to do so.

When trump disrespected Black football players by calling them SOBs, he demonstrated his racism and all who applauded him and encouraged his racist rhetoric demonstrated where they stood. Systemic racism is still a problem in this country and there is no denying it. The fact that over 70% of all football players in the NFL are Black speaks volumes and the fact that the biggest fans are white also speaks volumes–we are still seen as being nothing more than “entertainers” for those with “white privilege.”

I’m taking a stand against those who claim the football players are arrogant, spoiled brats and should be “grateful” for the opportunity to become rich. Do those who make these statements say the same thing about “White Players” or is it just a condemnation of the Black players? Every Black and White football earned the right to play by their relentless pursuit of excellence in playing the game. They were not given spots on a team, they earned them.

For decades–probably to the chagrin of many people who said, “Black people were inferior to White people–we have proven time and time again, we are not an inferior race of people, but those who are fearful and bigoted have not stopped thinking they are the superior race. Well, I have news for all–there is only one race of people–the human race and none superior to another, but if people want to deal with facts and not fiction, they only have to understand where man originated–on the continent of Africa–and if there was a superior race–it would be the African race–where life began.

If we ever get to a place in society where we can see people and not color, we’ll all be better off. We can live in peace and spend our time–collectively trying to find cures for cancer and other debilitating diseases, establishing lifestyles that will preserve the planet for the benefit of all, and keeping the human race–alive, prosperous and vital for the next millennium.

The truth of the matter is–until we are all willing to discuss–rationally–the social injustices that exist with the systemic racism–nothing will ever change. We must come together and understand “the reasons” for the divide and then pursue unity as a whole–for all Americans.

An unfriendly person pursues selfish ends and against all sound judgment starts quarrels. Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. When wickedness comes, so does contempt and with shame comes reproach. The words of the mouth are deep waters, but the fountain of wisdom is a rushing stream. It is not good to be partial to the wicked and so deprive the innocent of justice. The lips of fools bring them strife, and their mouths invite a beating. The mouths of fools are their undoing, and their lips are a snare to their very lives. Proverbs 18:1-7 NIV

Since I highlight in red for emphasis, it would have been appropriate to highlight the entire passage, but there are specific points I want to make here about fools and what happens when they run their mouths without thinking.

The real problem before I began to clarify is this–when will Americans say enough is enough?

There is a segment of America who did not speak out and denounce the “birther movement” perpetuated by trump and it was because of this lie, he ignited hatred and bigotry against Barack Obama and America didn’t say, “enough is enough!”

He rode this lie right into the hearts of haters who elected to govern America for all Americans, but nothing has changed–if anything his rhetoric is about to ignite all sorts of wars, because Republican leaders haven’t said, “enough is enough!”

Recently, he practically endorsed the behavior of white supremacists and the killing of Heather Heyer when he said, “some of them are very fine people” and America didn’t say, “enough is enough!”

He has criticized Colin Kaepernick for taking a knee to protest injustice and igniting polarization against him because he was exercising his 1st amendment rights and now all the ruckus has resulted in a great football player being deprived from doing what he loves and America has not said, “enough is enough!”

From the podium at a press conference, Sarah Huckabee Sanders that Jemele Hill should be fired because she told the truth in saying trump is a white supremacist and America has yet to say with a loud voice, “enough is enough!”

At the United Nations General Assembly, trump vowed to commit war crimes in threatening to, “totally destroy North Korea” which entails murdering 25 million people and some see the statement as “strong” instead of deplorable, but no one has said, “enough is enough!”

Now, he’s turned on Steph Curry simply because once again, Curry decided “to not visit the White House and ignited the rhetoric again and here we are, with not many saying, “enough is enough!”

But perhaps the most telling racist and bigoted remarks (of late) is his calling Black Athletes, “sons-of a b****” and calling them to be fired by owners. He didn’t call the white supremacist who killed Heather Heyer a hateful name, but Black Athletes–he’s perfectly comfortable with calling names. Is it enough, yet?

Then he turned on the owners who honor a person’s right to express themselves. Is it enough, yet?

He hasn’t said a negative thing about Putin and has attempted to excoriate every other person who does not agree with him. Is it enough, yet?

He’s promoting the Graham-Cassidy Health Care Reconciliation that guarantees over 30 million Americans will not have access to affordable healthcare. Is it enough, yet?

There’s a “base” of people supporting the nonsense and bigoted rhetoric who have ignored the fact that this draft-dodging, tantrum-throwing-toddler-in-chief has no clue what it means to “serve” America or what the Constitution means for all Americans. Is it enough, yet?

His Cabinet is using the United States Treasury as their personal ATM and no one has said, “enough is enough.”

Will Americans wait until a nuclear war is ignited to say, “enough is enough?” It will be too late then, not just for America, but for the world since radioactive material doesn’t discriminate in destruction of human beings and the planet.

If I had the time and thirty extra fingers, typing on three more laps, I still wouldn’t be able to express all that I feel about this horrendous apparatus sitting in the White House, tweeting threats and igniting racial divide in this country. Many of us–recognize what he’s doing and it is not for the benefit of the country, but to appease his base in keeping the racial strife alive–hoping it will be distraction enough to keep the media from reporting on the status of the Mueller investigation. We know distraction when we see it and most of us know, truth will be revealed and he will be exposed as an illegitimate president because of his involvement in the election meddling, he probably applauded.

It is more than enough for me! I’m sick and tired of being sick and tired with his maniacal megalomaniac wannabe dictator and his nonsense. It’s time for everyone with a functioning brain and a heart for Christ to stand up and speak out and say, “Enough is enough!” We have become the laughingstock of the world and the WH idiot thinks other world leaders like him. He’s too foolish and self-absorbed to know, they all think he’s an idiot and none of them trust him.

I’m standing up and speaking out and today, though I’m not normally sitting in front of a television watching football, I will “take a knee” as an expression of my support for those on a football field anywhere and as my right to do so.

When will you say, “Enough is enough” and demand Republican leaders censure trump or start drafting articles of impeachment for his many violations of the constitution?

And since I’m tired of complaining (though I will continue to speak out against all the hate and bigotry), I’m doing something about it. If you’re tired of all the nonsense, too–join me in my quest to become President in 2020!

To humans belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the proper answer of the tongue. All a person’s ways seem pure to them, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Proverbs 16:1,2

When the Lord takes pleasure in anyone’s way, he causes their enemies to make peace with them. Better a little with righteousness than much with injustice. 7,8

Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord. The wise are called discerning, and gracious words promote instruction. 18-21

A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good. 28, 29

Better a patient person than a warrior, one with self-control than one who takes a city. 32

One of the most significant ways we can avoid situations that lead to hate is to understand how hate manifests itself. Hate doesn’t just show up out of the blue–it is planted, fertilized and nurtured to fruition by those who are insecure, fearful, and resentful (and incapable of rational thought).

People who have severe doubts about their own ability to accomplish things resent those who are confident and their lives demonstrate their confidence. Generally speaking, they will fertilize their insecurities by blaming others for what they have not achieved, and the more they blame others, the more they nurture their hatred. They teach their children to hate others because of fear–not knowledge–and those fears for the most part are baseless because insecure people–don’t venture far from their base of comfort. In other words, they have not lived a full life–one in which they ventured far from home and experienced life outside their parameters of their comfort zone.

The same people are incapable of understanding that we can be passionate in our disagreement with others, but we don’t have to allow the disagreement to lead to hate. We must understand that it is our right to disagree, but we can disagree, agreeably which won’t lead to wars or rumors of wars or bullying rhetoric. Hate spreads when people who are incapable of rational thought never realize that they are not always right and that others don’t have to agree with them. They have yet to understand what “individuality” means.

If God had wanted clones–He could have created them. We would all look alike, think alike and never have any need to use our brains or vocal cords.

What we must do to avoid the proliferation of hatred, bigotry, and senseless fear is to realize we all have something to contribute to society in productive, constructive ways and none should be ignored or disregarded simply because of race, ethnicity, religion, gender or any other factor. We must realize that God created one race of people–the human race with one blood surging through all–it’s red–no matter the color of skin is.

With insecurities–comes the tendency to think a person or a group of people is superior to another. In order to perpetuate the lies–they create all sorts of false data, write books with suspicious documentation to prove they are superior to others. We see this in the beliefs of all the “white nationalists” or other hate groups who actually believe they are superior to every other group of people. They do not know or understand that the cradle of civilization began on the continent of Africa and that skin tones changed as man migrated to cooler climates. Education would be extremely beneficial to debunk all these myths, but for those who hate–irrationally–they tend to think that having an education is synonymous with being elitist. Therefore, they revel in their ignorance and nurture their hate.

There’s an adage that says, “ignorance is bliss” and we can see that being true for those who choose to blame others for their shortcomings and positions in life. They’re happy with their ignorance and would rather hate than learn to live peaceably in society.

We know that when we disagree (especially in households), we should never allow the sun to go down and we’re still angry. Be passionate in disagreement, but ready to concede the possibility of being wrong and be willing to do the research to make a verifiable point and not just rely upon “an opinion” with no legs.

We can avoid planting the seeds of hatred and bigotry by recognizing that we are part of a greater world and we don’t have a right to expect others to live by what we think or believe. We can educate ourselves (with all of the accessible technology) and not hold others accountable for what we don’t accomplish. We can learn to love–unconditionally–just as God loves us and with that love–there’s no room for hate. We can stop fertilizing and nurturing hatred by accepting responsibility for what we do and say or for what we don’t do. We are responsible for everything we say–good or bad–and everything we do–good or bad and we cannot blame others for our actions or inactions.

When we learn to critically analyze why we think what we think, believe what we believe, or do what we do–we’ll discover there is more to life and living than what we think we know.

They were just trying to intimidate us, imagining that they could discourage us and stop the work. So I continued the work with even greater determination. Nehemiah 6:9 NLT

This is what I feel watching GOP attempting to dismantle the ACA and risking the lives of millions of people. They are consumed with a 7-year promise to repeal ACA (out of hatred for President Obama) and not even paying attention to their constituents who now understand that the “hated Obamacare” is the needed ACA that many depend on to use. This is what happens when people lie and allow hate to reign rather than wisdom and the love of Christ. GOP–with Mitch McConnell leading the way was determined to obstruct President Obama and make sure he was not able to accomplish anything–from day one. In spite of the obstructionist attitude and behavior–President Obama was able to accomplish much and all of it–the GOP are now determined to rollback, throw out, and eliminate–because of hatred.

The GOP hated Obama, trump hates Obama and with all that hate–there can be no room for love–just hate and hate as we all know destroys utterly and completely. The GOP will be destroyed utterly and completely if they don’t wake up and pay attention to their constituents and not the crazed idiot in the WH (I cannot bring myself to call him a “man” because he has not demonstrated that he is one. So, if you’re upset with me now, you’re going to be upset with me for a long time).

In spite of the hatred against ACA and Democrats in general, I will continue to pursue the path to the White House, never giving up, no matter what the idiots do.

My family’s history–has provided a record of endurance, courage, boldness and determination. They were brought across the ocean, ripped from their families and only known culture. They were denied identity other than what the “white man” wanted them to have. They were treated like sub-human beings, forced to work on empty stomachs, never consideration. They were freed by the signature of Abraham Lincoln, but kept entangled and bound by fear and hatred by Jim Crow laws.

Civil rights laws have yet to bring an era of true freedom for the Black Community and with the GOP in position of the majority in Congress, we are taking a regressive route in the 21st Century rather than seeing forward movement as it pertains to positive race relations in this country. Hate crimes are on the rise against anyone with “brown or black” skin tones, different religious beliefs, and misogyny is also on the rise. All of this is a result of gullible people (with hidden hatred of those who are different than them) who voted for the greatest fraud and con artist who ever lived–trump.

Though many may feel there is no hope–I will never give up and I will continue the good fight of faith–in service to my country and fellow True Patriots who understand that every American deserves equal treatment in all things. We will Raise the Standards for all Americans.

Counting on fellow Americans who think like Christ to support my bid for president in 2020. I’m not seeking financial support at this time, just your vote to guarantee we will have a voice in Washington representing the Everyday American.

The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love. He will not always accuse, nor will he harbor his anger forever; he does not treat us as our sins deserve or repay us according to our iniquities.For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is his love for those who fear him; as far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us. As a father has compassion on his children, so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him; for he knows how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust. The life of mortals is like grass, they flourish like a flower of the field; the wind blows over it and it is gone, and its place remembers it no more. But from everlasting to everlasting the LORD’s love is with those who fear him, and his righteousness with their children’s children—with those who keep his covenant and remember to obey his precepts.The LORD has established his throne in heaven, and his kingdom rules over all. Praise the LORD, you his angels, you mighty ones who do his bidding, who obey his word.Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts, you his servants who do his will. Praise the LORD, all his works everywhere in his dominion. Praise the LORD, my soul. Psalm 103:8-22 NIV

How great is the love The Lord has for us! His love–so great–that it covers our sins and forgives us, giving us chance after chance to get living right for Him!

Now The Lord doesn’t “cover” our sin so it is hidden; He covered it with His blood that we might be washed clean, emptying the desire out of us to disobey and filling us with commitment to obey. That is not to say we become perfect at any given time, but because of His everlasting, enduring love, we walk in faith, knowing He will correct us when we stray from the path He determined for us.

Are we on the right path–paved with love?

There is a common, foundational belief that whatever is in us is all that will come out of us. Therefore, in order for us to walk the life path of love He has destined for us, we must be filled to overflowing with His love–allowing the love to flow onto others, saturating them until there is no room in their hearts for hate. So, if hate is what we see coming forth from people it is because that’s all they have within their hearts.

How do we change what we see?

Our lives should be “squared” with love, hope, faith and integrity–so that all that escapes from us is an illustration of what is in us. So, if anyone is lacking in love, hope, faith, and integrity, meet up with those who have demonstrated an unyielding love for others and pray that all they have within will be grafted into your heart.

Without love–we will not care for others and make decisions that are best for all.

Without love–we will not see the needs of those who dare to think differently than we do.

Without love–we will not see that all human beings deserve respect.

Without love–we will not understand that there is no superior race of people.

Without love–we will not understand the power of words in what we say, type, write, tweet or wear on a T-shirt.

Without love–we will not appreciate the diversity of cultures that surround us.

Without love–we will not live to be of service to others.

Love understands and reaches out with hope, speaks with integrity and builds relationships with faith.

Hate destroys.

What’s in your heart? Whatever is there is all we’ll see and no matter what is said, actions always speak louder than words.

Remember, there is no greater love than the love God has poured into us to share with others.

Serving others always begins with love, endures with love, and ends with love.